St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-01-15
AN AUTUMN PICNIC.
QaeeP Types Of Humanity Among tho
Mountaineers of Virginia.

Mountaineers of virginia.
He started up the Virginia reel. and
almost instantly the features of the
listeners underwent . change. The
old familiar strain had . wonderful ef-
feet. After awhile some of them BE-
came uneasy, and before the tune died
out two of the mOuntaineers suddenly
made break for the board walk and
began to dance 1t was an old break
down, rendered in manner that would
have excited the envy of a song-and-
dance man. Here was the original of
seen the imitation. Around and around
each other they went. never missing
the time, no matter how fast and how
furious the music. The suns warm
rays did not affect them in the least
They kept it up till the musicians gave
out from sheer exhaustion. and were
heartily applauded by the spectators.
who enjoyed the novel sight. The
dancers were odd characters. one in par
ticular. being known throughout this
section as John Huckleberry. The Man.
Eater He is said to be the strongest
man in the mountains, being match
for any six men. At one time he was
attacked by half-dOzen negroes, any
one of whom was more than q match
for an ordinary man. Within five
minutes. With no weapons but
his fists, he cleaned out the party. The
blows he dealt left marks visible for
days to come. At another time, on
wager, he bit ten-penny nail in two.
The mOuntaineers respect his prOwess.
and look upon him as . leader. The
giant is about six feet two inches in
height. and is of herculcan build. His
shoulders are on the Sullivan order, as
are also his arms, but the STOPPING pos
ture acquired by the mountaineers
makes his chest, which would uther-
wise be broad and expansive. xepear
flat and hollow. When sober he is good
natured and tractable, but when in his
cups he is a hard customer to manage.
The man-caters partner in the dance
was q lame man with . basket on his
arm. His physical imperfections did
not interfere with his movements. Aft
er time. when the music ceased.
some of the men withdrew to the
further end of the lawn, where . ring
was formed. One of the youths pulled
out a mouth harmOnica, and as the
wild strains swung to the breeze. four
mountain boys started to the center and
began rollicking sort Of dance. In
this way the picknickers enjoyed them
selves throughout the day.
Just about sundown the musicians
gave the usual concert on the lawn.
After playing number of airs they
decided to give the mountaineers an
other tenefit. This time they selected
..Sallie in the Garden, the wcll-known
''Buzzard" air. The women thought
the men had danced enough. so they
prevailed on two of their number to
start the ball. A tall. slim woman in
black, about forty-five years of age.
with Shaker bonnet. and young girl
of eighteen responded. There was no
your city. but the side steps and shufiles
were immense. They tossed themselves
all over the board. atfording infinite
to the spectators. For five
minutes they danced together, then the
young girl gave out. The Old woman.
however. kept it up until the musicians
were tired out. Il was an endurance
match, and the aged dancer carried off
the prize. When cOlnplimented on her
she remarked. with a
proud toss Of her head: 20. I'm .
hard-wOrking woman. am." and she
looked it. Late at night the picnickers
started for home. which many did not
reach until the following morning.
Orkney (Td) Cor Boston Herald